Is this part of a saving-face action on Robinson Cano’s behalf? In the latest on the Yankees free agent’s contract demands, Cano said he never asked for $300-plus million deal.

It has been widely reported that Cano wants a 10-year contract worth $310 million or $315 million. But in an appearance in his native Dominican Republic this week, the All-Star second baseman reportedly said: “I’ve never asked anybody for $300 million. … Nobody has ever heard that come out of my mouth, and you’re never going to hear it.”

Interesting to hear Cano back away from the huge contract demand. In one sense, his words may not mean a whole lot. Yes, he may not have actually ever asked for $300 million himself, but he didn’t deny that his representatives, Roc Nation Sports (Jay Z’s company) and CAA, asked for such a sum on his behalf.

However, with the two sides far apart so far — Newsday reported a difference of more than $100 million — could it be that Cano is setting the stage to accept a much smaller contract? He could characterize the $300 million figure as something he never was seeking, then accept a deal closer to the seven years, $165 million that Newsday said was the club’s last offer.